Reconstruction of the mandible with an autogenous irradiated cortical scaffold, autogenous corticocancellous bone-graft and autogenous platelet-rich-plasma: an animal experiment

This paper reports on an experimental animal study evaluating a method of mandibular reconstruction using irradiated cortical scaffolds. Twelve goats underwent a continuity resection at the mandibular angle. Primary reconstruction was carried out using specially designed osteosynthesis plates and screws. The defect was bridged by the original, irradiated cortical scaffold, which was filled with an autogenous particulate bone graft from the anterior iliac crest. To accelerate bone healing, platelet rich plasma (PRP) was mixed with the particulate bone graft. The hypothesis of this study was that bone healing in segmental reconstruction of the goat mandible by means of an irradiated cortical scaffold, filled with a particulate cancellous bone graft mixed with PRP, would be as successful as when using a non-irradiated scaffold. All goats had an uneventful healing. The osteosynthesis plates and screws withstood immediate loading for periods varying from three to six weeks. The radiologic and histologic results were less favourable with regard to bone remodelling than the results obtained in similar experiments with non-irradiated cortical bone scaffolds.